Tourism revenues increase on Gulf Coast; SEC Beach Fest set

Sunset is captured on Orange Beach. Tourism revenues are up in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, according to local tourism officials.

GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Lodging revenues jumped 15.6 percent and retail sales rose 12.3 percent compared to this time last year as the coast continues its energetic comeback from the Gulf oil spill, according to data Tuesday from Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism.

Malone and his staff updated local business leaders on the hospitality industry at the 2012 Tourism Summit at the Erie Meyer Civic Center.

"When we think of what happened two years ago, and look at 2011, we had 4.9 million people choose to come here on vacation," Malone said. "They left behind $2.6 billion in direct spending in Baldwin County."

Last year was a record year for tourism on the Gulf Coast, and it wasn’t just a blip experienced after the BP oil spill in 2010, Malone said. This year is expected to be even better than 2011, he said.

Lodging revenues last year were $280 million, topping the previous peak of $237 million in 2007, according to Malone. Retail sales, meanwhile, increased by 11.4 percent compared to 2009.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach also led five coastal areas from here to Panama City, Fla., in lodging rentals. That market share of 24.7 percent in 2011 generated $332 million, he said.

The tourism office is in its second year as a sponsor of the Southeastern Conference, and plans to bring SEC fans to the coast for a long weekend starting Aug. 23, according to Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the tourism office.

The SEC Beach Fest will introduce the two new SEC teams, Texas A&M and Missouri, she said. There will be golf tournaments at all the local courses, and at the Gulf Shores public beach will be the scene of tailgating parties, a fun run, and live musical entertainment by the B-52s and Dr. John.

Appearances by popular SEC coaches will be announced in another week. The event is still in the planning stages; more information is available at www.secbeachfest.com.